A five-day Cheltenham Festival? Nicky Henderson 'can't see a reason why not'

Nicky Henderson, the most successful British trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Festival, has lent his support to the idea of extending the four-day meeting into a five-day bonanza, saying he "can't see a reason why not".

Since 2005, the Cheltenham Festival has taken place over four days and its current schedule has an even spread of seven races each day for a total of 28. Under Henderson's suggestion, the extra day would only equate to two more races, with each day's card being trimmed to six.

Henderson, who was speaking exclusively as part of the Racing Post Weekender's Cheltenham Ultimate Guide, said that Royal Ascot had "benefited tremendously" from the decision to extend its summer highlight to five days.

Out today: the Cheltenham Ultimate Guide

The Cheltenham Ultimate Guide is everything the smart punter needs for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. With big-race previews, tips, trends and much, much more, the Cheltenham Ultimate Guide has it all. Order now.

When asked what one improvement he would make to the festival, he said: "Add a fifth day – it took me long enough to persuade them to have a fourth!

"You don't have to go every day and you wouldn't need that many extra races if you went from 28 to 30 and had six a day. Royal Ascot benefited tremendously from it and, financially, can we afford not to do it? I can't see a reason why not."

However, Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Katie Walsh – who will join the Racing Post team during Cheltenham Festival week to offer her expert analysis of the big-race action – believes such a move would "dilute the product".

Katie Walsh: 'They have ticked every box in making the experience as good as it can be'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

She said: "I've been to Cheltenham as a stable lass, a jockey, working for the media and as a fan and I have to say they have ticked every box in making the experience as good as it can be.

"I would hate to see the festival go to five days as it would dilute the product and that's not what racing needs. The only other change I'd like to see is the National Hunt Chase return to four miles. It takes from the three-mile novice chase the way it is and I'd like to see the race run over four miles again."

You can get more insight from Nicky Henderson, Katie Walsh and a host of other top racing professionals and pundits in the Cheltenham Ultimate Guide, a special publication of the Racing Post Weekender, out in shops now and available to order online here.

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The Cheltenham Ultimate Guide is everything the smart punter needs for the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. With big-race previews, tips, trends and much, much more, the Cheltenham Ultimate Guide has it all. Order now.